Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said that the advisory issued for Amarnath Yatris is only a security measure. He requested mainstream political leaders in the state not to believe rumours and to maintain calm.
The Governor met a delegation of political leaders, including PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Peoples Movement President Dr. Shah Faesal, Peoples Conference Chairman Sajjad Lone, and party leader Imran Raza Ansari.
The delegation sought clarification regarding the security advisory issued earlier and related developments. Governor Malik informed them that security agencies had received serious and credible inputs about possible terrorist threats to the Amarnath Yatra. Army officials and the State Police Chief had also addressed a joint press conference highlighting the seriousness of these threats.
The Governor said the advisory asking yatris and tourists to return early was issued in this context. He added that unnecessary panic was being created by linking the advisory to other issues, which had already been clarified by the State Home Secretary and the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir.
Due to inclement weather conditions, including shooting stones and landslides in the Jammu region, authorities had earlier announced that the Yatra would remain suspended till 4th August. Over 3.39 lakh pilgrims had visited the Holy Amarnath cave for darshan of the Shivling till 31st July, since the Yatra began on 1st July. The Yatra was scheduled to conclude on 15th August.
